Patient Safety

Our Highest Priority

As a patient of Southeastern Med, your safety is our number one concern, which is why we have many safeguards and protocols in place. Feel free to browse the information below to see why we're one of the safest medical centers in Guernsey County and Southeastern Ohio.

Identification

For your safety, an I.D. wrist band will be placed on your arm when you're admitted as a patient. Please check to make sure your name and date of birth are correct. Health care team members will check your wrist band before providing medication or administering treatment. In some cases, they will ask you to confirm your name and date of birth as an added precaution. Please keep the I.D. wrist band in place until you are discharged.

Medical History

Your past medical conditions may affect the treatment we provide, so please provide us with complete information about your medical history, including:

A list of allergies

Any previous health conditions that may affect your treatment

Personal habits, such as alcohol, tobacco and drug use

Your diet and any restrictions that may apply

Fall Prevention

The best way to prevent falls is to identify patients who are at-risk before an accident can happen. Although each patient is different, the following characteristics increase your risk of a fall:

Infection Prevention

You can aid in your own recovery by helping to prevent the spread of infection. We wash our hands regularly and clean your room routinely, but we need your help, too.

You can help reduce the risk of infection by:

Washing your hands often

Asking visitors to wash their hands when entering or leaving your room

Reducing clutter in your room

Removing your socks and slippers before getting into bed

Using a clean pillow

Preventing visitors from sitting on your bed or using the in-room restroom (public restrooms are located in the main lobby)

Taking vaccines, such as vaccines for pneumonia or influenza, when they are offered

To better protect everyone at Southeastern Med, we may take special precautions with certain patients if we have reason to believe that they are carriers of harmful bacteria or germs. Some germs are very difficult to eradicate, such as Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). We will ask certain questions upon your admission to determine if you may be carrying one of these dangerous germs. If we believe you to be a carrier, we will run a test. While we're waiting on the results, anyone who enters your room should wear a gown and gloves, even if they live with you, so that they don't carry bacteria to any other areas of the hospital.

Safe Administration of Medications

To better care for you, we ask that you provide us with a complete list of the medications you are currently taking, including what your physician has prescribed and what you may be taking on your own. Items that fall into this category may include aspirin, cold remedies, vitamins, herbs and dietary supplements. A complete list is important because some medications have undesirable effects when taken together, either altering the intended effects or the way you feel when you take them.

We may change your medications during your stay, but please know that we make this process as simple as possible. Your nurse or physician will explain any new medications and you will be given instructions to keep, which include the name, purpose, dosage, frequency of administration and side effects.

Be sure to tell us if you're experiencing any side effects. We want you to know what's going on in your body, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask your nurse or physician.